SKODA RALLY DI ROMA CAPITALE: FABIA RS RALLY2 COMPLETES ERC PODIUM SWEEP

DAPRA CLAIMS HIS FIRST ERC VICTORY AS SKODA CREWS SECURE ALL THREE PODIUM POSITIONS IN ROME

Skoda enjoyed a dominant weekend at Rally di Roma Capitale as the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 locked out the overall podium in the third round of the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship.

Italy's Roberto Dapra and co-driver Luca Guglielmetti claimed their maiden ERC victory for Delta Rally, while Teemu Suninen finished second and Bostjan Avbelj completed an all-Skoda podium after an intense fight that continued until the final special stage.

"Skoda secured a clean sweep of the Rally di Roma Capitale podium, with Roberto Dapra taking his maiden FIA European Rally Championship victory."

DAPRA CONTROLS THE RALLY

Dapra established himself among the front-runners early in the event before moving into the overall lead during Saturday's penultimate stage.

After the longest day of the rally, the Italian held an advantage of just over 20 seconds, giving himself a strong position ahead of Sunday's final four stages.

To reduce the risk, Dapra increased his lead to 25 seconds on Sunday's opening stage before managing the remaining kilometres to secure his first ERC win.

_"Crazy, crazy - we're so happy. The final day was stressful, and the victory was never certain until the finish."_ - Roberto Dapra*

CLOSE PODIUM FIGHT GOES TO THE FINAL STAGE

While Dapra controlled the rally at the front, the battle for the remaining podium places remained open throughout Sunday.

Teemu Suninen, Bostjan Avbelj and Giandomenico Basso traded seconds across the final stages.

Basso reduced the gap to Suninen during the opening tests before Avbelj increased his pace and moved back into third place on the penultimate stage.

Victory on the final super special allowed Avbelj to close on Suninen, but the Finnish crew held second place by just 0.5 seconds, while Basso missed the podium by 3.2 seconds.

SUNINEN MOVES TO THE TOP OF THE ERC STANDINGS

The result also had a significant impact on the championship.

With second place in Rome, Suninen moved into the lead of the provisional FIA European Rally Championship standings, holding a three-point advantage over Giandomenico Basso.

MORE SKODA CREWS SCORE POINTS

Skoda's strong performance extended beyond the podium.

Mille Johansson and Johan Gronvall finished sixth overall, while defending European champions Miko Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk completed the points-paying positions in tenth place.

The FIA European Rally Championship will continue with its next round in Poland.

"An all-Skoda podium and multiple points finishes underlined the competitiveness of the Fabia RS Rally2 in Rome."

TOP 6 SKODA FINISHERS

Roberto Dapra / Luca Guglielmetti – 1st Overall

Teemu Suninen / Antti Haapala – 2nd Overall

Bostjan Avbelj / Elia De Guio – 3rd Overall

Giandomenico Basso / Lorenzo Granai – 4th Overall

Mille Johansson / Johan Gronvall – 6th Overall

Miko Marczyk / Szymon Gospodarczyk – 10th Overall

KEY POINTS

• Skoda claimed all three overall podium positions at Rally di Roma Capitale.

• Roberto Dapra and Luca Guglielmetti secured their first FIA ERC victory.

• Dapra drove a Delta Rally-run Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

• Dapra led by more than 20 seconds after Saturday before securing victory on Sunday.

• Teemu Suninen finished second after holding off Bostjan Avbelj by 0.5 seconds.

• Bostjan Avbelj completed the all-Skoda podium.

• Giandomenico Basso narrowly missed the podium by 3.2 seconds.

• Suninen moved to the top of the provisional FIA ERC standings.

• Mille Johansson finished sixth overall in another Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

• Miko Marczyk completed the rally in tenth place.

• The FIA European Rally Championship now heads to Poland.